Detailed Introduction
Aspen Dental, officially known as Aspen Dental Management, Inc., is a prominent American dental support organization (DSO) established in 1998 by Robert Fontana in Syracuse, NY. Its headquarters are currently in Chicago, Illinois. Aspen Dental operates on a model that provides extensive non-clinical business support services to a network of independently owned and operated Aspen Dental-branded dental practices across 46 states, with over 1,100 locations nationwide. This support includes areas like accounting, marketing, human resources, recruitment, payroll administration, regulatory compliance, procurement, real estate management, and patient interface platforms. This structure allows licensed dentists who own these practices to focus primarily on patient care, while Aspen Dental handles the administrative and operational aspects of the business.
Aspen Dental's mission is to enhance access to quality, affordable dental care for a broad spectrum of patients, especially those who may not have an existing dental provider relationship, face financial barriers, or reside in "dental deserts." They offer a comprehensive range of dental services, including general dentistry (check-ups, cleanings, fillings, extractions), as well as specialty services such as oral surgery (wisdom teeth removal, dental implants), endodontics (root canal therapy), and orthodontics (Motto® clear aligners). Many locations feature on-site dental labs for expedited services like dentures, crowns, and bridges.
To make dental care more accessible, Aspen Dental accepts most major dental insurance plans and provides various flexible financing options through third-party lenders. They also offer the "Aspen Dental Savings Plan" as an alternative for patients without insurance. Committed to community health, Aspen Dental launched the "Healthy Mouth Movement" in 2014, a community giving initiative that has provided free dental care to thousands of veterans and underserved individuals.
The company's "Practice Ownership Program" empowers dentists to become successful business owners by offering a structured path to practice ownership with comprehensive non-clinical support. This model is designed to foster professional growth and leadership opportunities for dentists within the Aspen Dental network.
